The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid is officially underway. The Basque coach was presented on Monday morning, met with players at Valdebebas, and is already rolling up his sleeves to build the new Madrid. But time is short — the FIFA Club World Cup is just around the corner, and at Real Madrid, there’s only one acceptable outcome: winning it.
Xabi Alonso’s emotional arrival
Xabi’s first day as Real Madrid manager was full of emotion — something he admitted during his press conference:
“My connection with Real Madrid never faded. Walking into Valdebebas lit that fire again. This is the start of a new chapter.”
Although he hasn’t yet taken to the pitch, Alonso has already spoken with some of the players. Starting Tuesday, he plans to meet with the full squad — first as a group, then individually. He sees player connection as key: understanding how they think, how committed they are, and what they want to achieve.
His first problem: no time
Alonso’s biggest headache? Time. The Club World Cup kicks off on June 14, with Real Madrid’s first match on June 18. That gives him barely three weeks to prepare.
Worse still, many players will miss the early days of camp due to international duty, meaning Alonso must begin implementing his football philosophy without most of his core squad.
What is Alonso’s plan?
His primary goal is clear: build a title-winning team — fast. But that’s easier said than done.
The squad he inherits is missing key pieces. So far, only Dean Huijsen has officially joined, a solid addition, but far from enough to fix the defensive gaps. Carvajal is expected to be available but not fully fit. Ferland Mendy remains doubtful. And the club still lacks a reliable central defensive backup beyond Huijsen and Asencio.
Alonso also faces the task of restoring unity and discipline. This season’s Madrid often looked disjointed — with a midfield lacking rhythm, a forward line detached from collective play, and no real cohesion throughout long stretches of the campaign.
Reviving the forgotten and the frustrated
Another challenge? Getting the most out of underperforming players — especially those who ended the season on the fringes. The standout case is Rodrygo, a talented attacker who never found his rhythm and now faces questions about his future and role under Alonso.
Three weeks to change everything
Now that he’s officially been unveiled, Xabi Alonso carries the full weight of the world’s most demanding football club. Whether three weeks is enough to shape a winning squad is anyone’s guess — but the objective is non-negotiable: win the Club World Cup, and start his reign with a trophy.